The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-04-04
IN THE PALACE OF POVERTY.
The Wearing Work Which Mr.. Pow.
derby is Doing.

general cNcCuLlFc UOstiu VI tuc hulRhto
of Labor are now in the city, and it is
expected that within few days the ro-
naming members will arrive. writes a
Philadelphia correspondent Of The New
York Times. General Master Work
man Powderly came here early in the
week. as did T. b. Mcguire, of district
assembly No. 40, New York, Powderly
Doesn't look well. His face is pale
and thin and wears very tired and
,areworn expression. Ordinarily his
complexion is bright and fresh. but
when your correspondent saw him last
evening at tho Bingham house the
change for the worse in his appearance
was quite noticeable. HIS face looks
almost haggard. and his blue eyes APP
pear weary and do not flash behind his
glasses rs they used to do. The work
which he is obliged to do is bresking
up his health.
To direct the workings of such y
body of ignorant and dscordant ele-
ments as the Knights of Labor is Il her
culean task, and for over year, since
The great southwest strike, rowderly
has constantly overtaxed his strength.
A large proportion of the order blind
ly insist on his answering their petty
inquiries and complaints in person, and
this renders il needful for him to work
sixteen and eighteen hours q day.
Consequently, with the great strain
thus occasioned, he loses sleep and is
burdened with care. His associates
IN the general executive board do
nothing in comparison with him.
The numerous expressions of dis
satisfaction at the purchase of the
North Broad street palace that have
been heard on every hand have evil
lently caused Mr.. Powderly great
leal of annoyance. He took occasion
Yesterday to issue public statement
concerning 1t in the Official organ of
the order, known as The Journal Of
United Labor, AMI conducted by
Charles II. Litchman, the general sec
rotary. In the statement he explains
and defends the action OF the general
board in purchasing the palace. He
says:
The general executive board, in
purchasing new headquarters, did not
act hastily. but made careful inquiry rs
to where property would be likely to
sell the best in case II becomes ncces-
sary TO sell again. The property of
Mrs. Baird, on Broad street, Philadel-
phia, was offered for sale. We investi-
gated carefully and found that it was
a iirst-class property, and was worth
$50, 600. The house, barn, outbuild-
ings, and lot cost Sll3, 600 in cash. BY
discreet management il was obtained
for $40, 600 less than the sum
which the general assembly voted for
the purchase of "A suitable place. There
is plenty of room, good light, and ac-
commodations II is within eight
squares of the public buildings and the
Pennsylvania railroad at Broad street.
When il was purchased several costly
articles of furniture and household fix
ings, which could not be used by the
owner elsewhere, We're thrown in with
the building, and are now the property
of the order Since we have removed
the headquarters TO that ulding we
have been offered $4,000 more than
we gave for il by one party and sl5,-
900 by another"
Nobody disputes the bargain secured
in the purchase by the Knights OF La
Dor. but il is doubtful ii Mr.. Powderly's
statement will satisfactorily explain
away to critical and sober-minded mem
bcrs of the order the imputatIon Of ex-
travagance and righteousness in having
such an establishment as the North
Broad street palace for headquarters
of the sons of toll In the publication
of this statement by Mr. Powdorly ex-
clusivcly in the Knights official organ
there is a significance that isnot known
to the general public. II might be ask
cd why the daily papers of this or 9TH
or cities did not obtain from Mr.. Pow
derry an interview upon this very sub
ject The answer is readily given that
he absolutely refuses to speak on any
question for publication in 1.-The cap
lalistic press" Ever since the Rich
mond session of the general assembly
last October. at which the bitter con-